Social Identity theory

• What is the definition of social identity?


  Individual's self-concept comes from how people see themselves in relation to membership of their social groups
• What are the three factors involved in developing prejudice according to social identity theory?

  > Social categorization

  > Social identification

  > Social comparison
• What is meant by social categorization?

  Seeing oneself as belonging to a specific group (in group).Other groups are categorised as out-groups, involves stereotyping
• What is meant by social identification?

  Taking on norms and attitudes of the group members in the in-group. A strong group identity develops due to shared norms
• What is meant by social comparison?

  People see their in-group as better than the out-group, developing, in-group favoritism (wanting their group to be the best). This boosts the self-esteem of group members and causes prejudice and discrimination to arise. There needs to be grounds for making comparisons with other groups.
• What is some refuting evidence of the social identity theory?

  Sherif 1966 - prejudice arises when competition is introduced
• What is some supporting evidence of social identity theory?

  Tajfel 1970 - schoolboys would favor members of their in-group, discriminate against out-group members
• What are the strengths of social identity theory?

  > Tajfel 1970
• What are the weaknesses of social identity theory?

  > Sherif 1966

  > may only explain inter group behaviour in Western societies (not generalisable)

  > ethnocentric

  > isolates group membership doesn't consider situational or dispositional factors